I received a copy of
Death Comes to London from a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest
review.

This novel is the second in the Kurland St Mary mystery
series by Catherine Lloyd. However unlike in the first installment, we join the
main characters in London, not Kurland St Mary. Main character Lucy Harrington
leaves her hometown after helping to run the household of an injured war hero
named Major Kurland. The young woman accompanies her sister Anna to town to
partake in the social season, in hopes of finding husbands. Not long after her
departure, Major Kurland learns that he is to receive a baronetcy from the
prince regent, so he too makes his way to London. While there a dowager countess
(the grandmother of the Major’s friend Broughton) un-expectantly drops dead at
a social ball. It is determined that she had been poisoned and Kurland and Lucy
take on the task of uncovering the mystery.

The first page of this book includes some quotes of praise,
the first book in the series has received. It was here that I realized that Death
Comes to London is set in the regency period. To be honest this is not my
favourite era to read about. I have yet to enjoy a book set in this time
period. Next I read quotes that compared the characters to Jane Austen’s Darcy
and Elizabeth from Pride and Prejudice, a novel I found insufferable. So
needless to say I was quite sceptical going into this story. However I am thankful
to have been sent it to, so I was determined to read it. I was also concerned
that I wouldn’t understand parts because I have not read the first book.

Much to my surprise I quite enjoyed Death Comes to London!
Aside from the fact that I’m not particular on this time period, it didn’t feel
as stuffy as I had thought it would. Thankfully there was more to this story
than just the proper societal etiquette of the ton. The mystery “who-done-it”
storyline kept me interested throughout, even after I had figured it out for
myself. Lucy came across as quite meddlesome, which was slightly annoying at
times. However this is how the character is supposed to be portrayed. I enjoyed
reading more from Major Kurland’s perspective than Lucy’s. Although there were
parts that referred to the mystery in the first novel, I would say that Death
Comes to London could be a stand-alone.

I hope to purchase a copy of the first book in the series Death
Comes to the Village soon as I’m interested in learning more of the back story
readers caught of glimpse of in this second installment. A third book titled:
Death Comes to Kurland Hall is due out later this year.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy
mysteries with a historical setting.